Of the global cultural wonders which have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, only one represents an entire country: Vatican City. The world’s smallest sovereign state is – as well as being the spiritual home of the world’s billion or so Catholics – an incomparable storehouse of artistic treasures.
It’s also one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions, so a pre-booked ticket which takes you to the head of the line is a must. Once you’ve mounted the remarkable double helix stairs at the entrance to the Vatican Museums, a unique overview of the origins and development of Western art awaits you. It’s a journey which takes you from fine Greek and Roman statuary to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, the undisputed masterpiece of the Renaissance, and on to contemporary ecclesiastical works.
And that’s before you’ve even stepped inside the colossal house of worship that is St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pietà and countless other sacred works.

Michelangelo is considered one of Tuscany’s most famous sons, but many of the masterpieces for which is he is best known are not found in Tuscany. In fact, Michelangelo spent much of his life in what is now the Italian capital of Rome, and you can see much of his artistic legacy in Rome today.
In his artistic youth, Michelangelo was held in local esteem by the ruling Medici family of Florence, but he was by no means an artistic legend by the time he arrived in Rome in 1496 at age 21. But the following year, he began work on a commissioned piece that would become one of his most celebrated sculptural works - the stunning Pieta, which now sits near the entry of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The other Michelangelo masterpieces in Vatican City are his enormous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling was painted from 1508–1512, and the Last Judgement fresco behind the altar was painted from 1534–1541.

Getting to Pompeii from Rome is a two-step process. First, you’ll need to take the train to Naples, and then change trains to the slower Circumvesuviana line that will take you to the excavation site at Pompeii. (The Circumvesuviana is in the same station as the main trains to and from Naples, so that part is easy - it’s just in a different part of the station.)
From Rome-Naples on the high-speed train takes 1 hour 10 minutes, and then from Naples-Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana takes a little over a half-hour. You can catch an early train from Rome and be at the entrance to Pompeii with plenty of time to explore the site before retracing your steps for the journey home. It’s definitely an investment in time, since you’ll spend nearly four hours of your day in transit, but it beats missing out on the ruins of Pompeii completely.

Explore Rome in style on a private tour! Whether you desire a more flexible Vatican experience or want to take your time viewing legendary art and historic structures, we have a variety of private tours for you to choose from. Explore on your own on an independent tour or enjoy personalized attention with a guide. You'll come away with a better understanding of Rome and a host of stories (and photos!) to share with your friends and family back home.

The heart of Roman civilization, which once included some 80 million inhabitants, has now been reduced to a series of important ruins in the center of the city of Rome. It is believed that Rome itself was founded in 753 B.C. by brothers Romulus and Remus, decedents of a Trojan prince. Over just a couple of centuries the city evolved into the most powerful entity on the planet, with over 20 percent of the entire Earth's estimated population under its control at one point.
In its glory, this part of the Roman city was full of intricately built temples and other important buildings made of the world's finest marble and stone. However, in the 15th century, many of the ancient city's temples were scavenged of their materials and used to build a number of churches and other more modern buildings.

Take a break from Rome's big-city bustle to discover the fascinating history of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.
Combine the highlights of southern Italy with a trip to Naples and visit to Pompeii's haunting ruins and climb to the smoking summit of volcanic Mt. Vesuvius. Lava flows have scarred the sides of Mt. Vesuvius, and are visible on the winding road up to the summit. Climb Mt. Vesuvius and hike through soft volcanic ash and pumice as you circle the crater, with panoramic views of the picturesque Bay of Naples. You may see plumes of steam issuing from the sleeping, but still active, volcano.

From picturesque farmhouses to auburn sunsets, Tuscany is one of the most romantic and visually seductive areas of the world. The pomp surrounding this region isn't pomp, but rather well earned admiration. The rolling hills, the amber grasslands, the sunny vineyards; they all make for splendid living - and boy, do the Italians know how to drink full from these rich waters of life. An easy day trip from Florence is all it takes to see them yourself.
Gourmands and sommeliers from around the world gather to this illustrious region to sharpen their palettes and indulge in a little gastronomic extravagance. A small group tour of Chianti and the surrounding areas is a good way to stay intimate, and appreciate more. Scenic sunsets and drives through the hillsides are another romantic foray into Tuscany, but perhaps the most personal route is Tuscany on horseback. Can there be a better way to see the countryside?

The city of Rome alone is full enough of treasures to last a lifetime, however, when in Rome you shouldn’t forget the other amazing sights of Italy. It may be impossible to truly discover everything, but luckily with some planning, any traveler can experience the best of other regions and cities in just one day. So take a day and go beyond the hectic urban sprawl on one or more of these fantastic full-day sightseeing tours from Rome.
Ah Tuscany. The gorgeous landscapes, quaint villages and lush vineyards of this hilly region provide the perfect setting for a relaxed day trip. On a Tuscany in One Day trip, you’ll explore three villages in the Val d’Orcia, Italy’s most fertile region. Tuscany’s largest city and cultural center deserves as much exploration as possible. You might think you can’t see the top attractions and artworks of the birthplace of the Renaissance in a day, but with the help of a Skip-the-Line Tour you’ll enjoy many of Florence’s highlights.

The city’s cathedral is a reminder of Siena’s proud centuries of independence. Siena is just one of the glories of this area. Dotted across the landscape are the high walls of hill towns which once repelled marauders, but now welcome travelers, like Little Monteriggioni, with its quiet winding streets and perfectly preserved fortifications, and San Gimignano. This town’s fame rests on its extraordinary grouping of medieval towers (14 in all). This UNESCO World Heritage site is also noted for its association with the great Italian writer Dante Alighieri, and for its churches abounding with fine Renaissance artworks.
If you’re staying in Florence, you can see Siena and San Gimignano and surrounding areas on a day trip. Some of the finest Tuscan cuisine is served up here, and you’ll want to sample fine wines in the numerous historic vineyards. Honey and olive oil are among the other local specialties.

The beguiling Amalfi Coast runs from Sorrento to Salerno, with jaw-dropping cliff-top panoramas, a coastline of rare beauty and a sparkling cluster of seaside towns including ravishing Positano and Amalfi. Inland there are tranquil hiking trails through ancient landscapes around the classy hilltop town of Ravello, famed for its literary and musical connections as well as its aristocratic, stucco villas.
Exploring the Amalfi Coast from a base in sophisticated Rome has never been easier; options stretch from a single day’s flying visit by high-speed train to discover the charms of Amalfi and Positano or a full immersions in the region – varying from three- to nine-day packages —which can incorporate tours of cosmopolitan, chaotic Naples; the UNESCO-listed ruins at Pompeii; the Blue Grotto on the sleek island of Capri; and overnight ferry trips to Sicily to bask in the shadow of Mount Etna.

Milan is like an espresso for the soul. From the Gothic Duomo to the serene canals of the Navigli District to the San Siro football stadium, it’s like stepping back into a beautiful era where buildings have ornate augmentations, where pizza shops sell pizza made by real Italians, where sports cars suddenly make sense because they are driven at appropriately sporty speeds.
Spend an afternoon exploring Bergamo, or ride the Bernina Express railway line through the Swiss Alps to luxurious St. Moritz.

Walking tours through Rome's ancient sites may be all well and good for adults who can imagine what life might have been like 2,000 years ago, but for kids it's helpful to be more explicit than just asking them to picture something in their heads. At Roman Gladiator School, kids of all ages will learn about the history of Rome's gladiator games by putting on a costume and getting lessons in weaponry and hand-to-hand combat from members of the Historic Group of Rome.
If your kids are a little older, choosing a tour may simply be simply a matter of picking attractions and activities that speak to their interests. Does your child like mysteries and haunted houses? Then the combination of history and chills on the Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour of Rome and the Skip-the-Line Tour of Rome's Crypts and Catacombs. Maybe your child thinks he or she is too old to play-fight at Gladiator School but wouldn't mind watching an Imperial Rome Gladiator Show with Dinner.

So much can be said for Rome and the surrounding south of Italy. But those who would sing the praises of its cobbled alleyways, ancient aqueducts, and bustling air of Italian joie-de-vivre, can only help but fall in love with its sister, Florence, for she is like Rome, only somehow more beautiful.

Take Pisa, for example. Not only is there so much more to see that its iconic leaning tower, but taking a day trip from Florence to Pisa, particularly with a knowledgeable guide, can only enhance a trip to Italy—without wasting valuable time.
If Pisa is on your must-do list, an afternoon tour of Pisa from Florence feels like nothing more strenuous than a stroll after lunch – but you'll be able to see all the sites and still be back in Florence in time for dinner. And with a private tour, you can even skip the line and climb up the Tower of Pisa!
If instead you're looking to efficiently visit more than one place (and have a full day on your itinerary), then a full day trip to Pisa and Lucca from Florence is the way to go. From the modern daily life lived around Pisa's historic monuments to the quiet, medieval vibe of Lucca, you'll have a wonderful overview of Tuscany's treasures.

Water is a fundamental element of Venice. While in any other city you might take a bus or the subway to get where you’re going, in Venice it’s the boat that reigns supreme.
No doubt the most classical way to travel the waterways is the old fashioned gondola. The Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade tour has live music played to enhance the already special atmosphere. But there is also more serious sightseeing to be done - the famous Grand Canal flows like a large inverted "S" through the heart of the city. This is the main artery of the city and has been since the beginning. Being the central waterway, it is lined with impressive Palazzi built by noble families competing for status. Dating from the 13th Century onwards you can see an amazing variety of architecture from Gothic to Byzantine. To get a proper view of 'this enchanted place' The Venice Grand Canal Boat Tour will give you a detailed commentary and take you into the more important minor canals as well.

For many travelers, Venice itself is a day trip from elsewhere – but if you’re spending several days in Venice itself, you may be looking for day trip options in the area.
Here are some of the best Venice day trip options.
Note: Even if you’re planning to do a few day trips from Venice, you’re still likely to be better off sticking to public transportation rather than renting a car. Venice itself is car-free, and parking is extremely limited to one parking lot on the islands, so having a car in Venice is more of a hassle than a help. If you’re interested in a day trip in the countryside, rent a car for the day somewhere on the mainland.
• Murano, Burano, Torcello
• Verona
• Ravenna
• Padua
• Trieste
• Lake Garda
• Dolomites
• Wine Tasting in Veneto and Friuli Regions

Take a ride on the Bernina Express, Switzerland's newest Alpine delight. This magnificent 3-hour train journey takes you along one of the most beautiful railway routes in the world.
This north-south Alpine crossing offers breathtaking views as you travel over boldly curved viaducts and through winding tunnels. Rather than using cog wheel tracks to climb the steep alpine slopes, the track circles back on itself.
The route travels amid the palms and oleanders of northern Italy in Tirano, taking you over the spiralling viaduct at Brusio and through the Bernina Pass into Engadine. Along the way you'll pass wild gorges and icy glaciers, cross soaring bridges and pass through looping tunnels and picturesque meadows. The train stops in the midst of ski runs and the original stone built Ospizio Bernina rail station, transporting you to the past with its hand signal desk and authentically stamped cardboard tickets.

Every single one of Italy’s 20 regions produces wine, including the two islands. Some are more famous worldwide than others – and some don’t even make it out of Italy. But if you’re a wine lover planning a trip to the country you would be smart to try to sample as much Italian wine as you can during your visit. These are some of the best wine regions in Italy.